A Dataset from Bio-Loggers Deployed on Adult Bearded Seals (Erignathus barbatus) in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska, USA (2009-2012)

Bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) are one of the most important subsistence resources for the indigenous people of coastal northern and western Alaska, as well as key components of Arctic marine ecosystems. Yet, relatively little about their abundance, seasonal distribution, migrations, or foraging behaviors has been documented scientifically. Ice-associated seal populations may be negatively impacted by offshore oil and gas development as well as by climate change. Our ability to predict impacts, however, is limited by inadequate knowledge of seal population structure and foraging ecology. By working cooperatively with Alaska Native subsistence hunters we developed methods for live- capturing bearded seals in the Chukchi Sea using nets set in the shallow coastal waters where bearded seals were foraging. Capture efforts were based out of Kotzebue and various locations in the North Slope Borough from Wainwright to Barrow in June and July from 2009 to 2012. In all, 7 seals were caught (2 adults and 5 sub-adults; 4 males and three females; ranging in length and weight from 159 cm and 116 kg to 216 cm and 253 kg), all from Kotzebue Sound. Each seal was released with two different types of bio-logging devices: the SPOT5, attached to a rear flipper, provided information on the timing of hauling out and on the seal’s location for up to three years. The MK10, glued to the top of a seal’s head, provided the same information as well as data on the timing and depths of dives. MK10 deployments remained active up to ten months and were shed from the seal during the annual molt.

The data files within this dataset represent the 'raw' data obtained from the Wildlife Computers data portal. Each deployment (unique tag id + animal id combination) is provided as a zipped archive. The root folder also includes additional documentation. The various files and detailed column descriptions are described in the 'Spreadsheet-File-Descriptions.pdf' which was downloaded from Wildlife Computers (https://wildlifecomputers.com/support/downloads/). The '00_kotzeb0912_get_data.Rmd' file is an RMarkdown file that provides code and documentation of the data retrieval process. The corresponding '00_kotzeb0912_get_data.hml' file is autogenerated from the RMarkdown file.

Bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) are one of the most important subsistence resources for the indigenous people of coastal northern and western Alaska, as well as key components of Arctic marine ecosystems, yet relatively little about their abundance, seasonal distribution, migrations, or foraging behaviors has been documented scientifically. Ice-associated seal populations may be negatively impacted by offshore oil and gas development as well as by climate change. Our ability to predict impacts, however, is limited by inadequate knowledge of seal population structure and foraging ecology.

London, J., Cameron, M., Jansen, J., Whiting, A., Boveng, P. (2019). A Dataset from Bio-Loggers Deployed on Adult Bearded Seals (Erignathus barbatus) in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska, USA (2009-2012). Dataset. https://doi.org/10.24431/rw1k31x

The file 'kotzeb0912_get_data.Rmd' is an R/Rmarkdown file that includes more detailed description of the process as well as the source code use.

The external data dictionary for this dataset can be found in the following file: Spreadsheet-File-Descriptions.pdf.

While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

The data set is intended to be archived with the US Animal Telemetry Network and the Data Observation Network for Earth (DataONE). Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available. Acknowledge NOAA/NMFS/AFSC as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data. Communication and collaboration with dataset authors is strongly encouraged prior to use.

The data set is intended to be archived with the US Animal Telemetry Network and the Data Observation Network for Earth (DataONE). Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available.

The data set is intended to be archived with the US Animal Telemetry Network and the Data Observation Network for Earth (DataONE). Once the archival process is complete and verified, the data set will be publicly available.

User must read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to use. Applications or inferences derived from the data should be carefully considered for accuracy. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. Acknowledge NOAA/NMFS/AFSC or the specified citation as the source from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data. Communication and collaboration with dataset authors is strongly encouraged.

no metadata access constraints

Metadata are subject to revision at any time and information within the metadata record should not be cited without author consent. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

The accuracy of Argos derived location estimates varies. Detailed information on the Argos location estimates, location quality, and location error estimates are available at http://www.argos-system.org/manual/3-location/32_principle.htm#3.2.4_Error_estimation

Sensor errors, drift, calibration, and data transmission errors can all lead to inaccurate values reported for sensor measurements on the device. These data are presented as is with no removal of potentially inaccurate sensor values. Sensible measures should be used to insure the data used in any analysis are biologically reasonable. For this project, the SPOT devices deployed on the flipper show clear evidence of malfunction during the deployment when very long periods of 100% dry are reported. Extreme care and caution should be used with these records.

Limited quality control procedures have been employed. This dataset is an archive of the processed output from the Wildlife Computers data processing software. These tags were deployed on free-ranging, wild animals in challenging environments. In all cases, additional quality control procedures and evaluation from experts familiar with the tags, programming and species will be required.

data not automatically processed

IT Security and Contingency Plan for the system establishes procedures and applies to the functions, operations, and resources necessary to recover and restore data as hosted in the Western Regional Support Center in Seattle, Washington, following a disruption.

During June and July of 2009-20012, NOAA researchers and Alaska Native hunters captured, instrumented and released 7 adult or sub-adult bearded seals with satellite-linked dive records in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska. Capture efforts also occurred near Wainwright, Peard Bay, and Utqiaġvik. Adult age class animals were targeted. Although, there is uncertainty associated with field classification of age in seals. Satellite telemetry devices were attached to the hair of the back of the seals using fast-setting epoxy and to the rear inter-digital flipper webbing with two posts and holes.

All data provided are included as zipped archives that contain a variety of files processed on the Wildlife Computers Data Portal. The specific files included are dependent upon the tag hardware, firmware, and programming options selected. The files and column heading descriptions are provided in the 'Spreadhseet-File-Descriptions.pdf' which was downloaded from the Wildlife Computers web site (https://wildlifecomputers.com/wp-content/uploads/manuals/Spreadsheet-File-Descriptions.pdf) on May 20 2019.

The programming specifications and tag details are provided in either a *.htm or *.rpt file. These are the files created at the time the tag was programmed.

The included '00_kotzeb0912_get_data.Rmd' is an R Markdown file that describes the process for downloading and renaming files from the Wildlife Computers Data Portal. The '00_kotzeb0912_get_data.html' file is created when this R Markdown file is run